Episode 2: I Don’t Want What Everyone Else Is Getting”

In this episode, Kate Thomas, an AHPRA-registered pharmacist with 25 years of clinical experience, unpacks:

• Why perimenopause is being talked about more and why that does not mean it is overdiagnosed
• How menopause mirrors the cultural unmasking already seen with ADHD in women
• Why HRT is no longer just about hot flushes but long-term brain, bone and heart health
• The three types of estrogen, E1, E2 and E3, and how oral, transdermal and vaginal forms differ
• How to think about estrogen as a toolkit rather than a one-size-fits-all prescription
• Why resistance to menopause treatment is often about fear, identity and agency rather than medicine

Even informed, health-literate women often resist perimenopause and menopause treatment. Kate explores the psychology behind this resistance in Episode 2, unpacking how decades of silence, stigma and medical neglect have left many women unsure whether their symptoms are real, whether treatment is necessary, and whether seeking help means following a trend rather than making an informed choice. 

One of the most practical sections of this episode covers the three types of estrogen: E1 (estrone), E2 (estradiol) and E3 (estriol), and how oral, transdermal and vaginal forms of HRT differ. Understanding these differences is essential for women navigating menopause treatment options and preparing informed questions for their GP or specialist. A pharmacist-led medication review can help you understand which form of estrogen therapy may be most appropriate for your situation. 

HRT is no longer just about managing hot flushes. In this episode, Kate breaks down the growing evidence for hormone therapy as a long-term investment in brain health, bone density and cardiovascular health. For women in perimenopause and early menopause, understanding the broader benefits of HRT is an important part of making informed treatment decisions. 

Episode 2 features a deep dive into wild yam cream, one of the most widely marketed natural menopause remedies. Kate explains what it claims to do, why it does not work biochemically, and why women navigating perimenopause and menopause are so frequently targeted by hormone misinformation. If you have ever wondered whether a natural supplement or cream could replace HRT, this segment is essential listening. 

If this episode has raised questions about your own hormones, HRT options or menopause medications, a telehealth pharmacist consultation with Kate is a great next step. In a dedicated one-on-one session, you can go through your symptoms, your current medications and your treatment options in plain language, without rushing. 

Kate Thomas offers a range of in-depth telehealth medication consultation and medication review services to help you understand your body and your medications.

You can view the transcript for Episode 2 below